By Chisum H.R. No. 44 77R2515 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of John S. Coleman, Jr., of Wellington 1-2 on September 7, 2000, at the age of 98, has brought a profound loss 1-3 to the family and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born in 1902, Mr. Coleman earned an associate's 1-5 degree at North Texas Agriculture College and a bachelor's degree 1-6 at Texas A&M University and received a second lieutenant's 1-7 commission as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve; and 1-8 WHEREAS, After six years as the county agricultural agent for 1-9 Hartley County, he was called into military service as a captain in 1-10 1941 and sent overseas; stationed at Nichols Field near Manila in 1-11 the Philippines, Mr. Coleman was the commanding officer of the 27th 1-12 Materiel Squadron; and 1-13 WHEREAS, This intrepid officer served for four continuous 1-14 months on the front line in Bataan before American troops 1-15 surrendered to Japanese forces in 1942; Mr. Coleman was a survivor 1-16 of the infamous Bataan death march and a prisoner of war for more 1-17 than three years; the author of Bataan & Beyond, this brave soldier 1-18 returned to the United States in 1945 and retired from the U.S. Air 1-19 Force as a major in 1947; and 1-20 WHEREAS, A member of a Collingsworth County pioneer family, 1-21 Mr. Coleman contributed greatly to the community, serving as mayor 1-22 of Wellington and as commander of the American Legion's King Post 1-23 No. 249 for two terms; in addition, he distinguished himself for 25 1-24 years as a member of the Wellington Housing Authority and as 2-1 director of the chamber of commerce for 17 years, and was 2-2 responsible for organizing the Collingsworth County Water Control 2-3 District and the TV Translator Tower project; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The last surviving member of the inaugural 2-5 Wellington High School football team, Mr. Coleman was inducted into 2-6 the Rocket House Wall of Fame in 1997; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Although John S. Coleman, Jr., will be deeply 2-8 missed, his bright spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of 2-9 all those whose lives he touched, and it is most appropriate to 2-10 honor his memory at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John S. Coleman, Jr., 2-13 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-14 son and daughter-in-law, Spencer and Beatrice Coleman; to his 2-15 daughter and son-in-law, Lennie and Billy Mac Sims; to his 2-16 grandchildren, Kyle Scott Coleman, Richard McDowell, Randall 2-17 Coleman, Kellye Coleman, and Karey Coleman; to his 2-18 great-grandchildren; and to his numerous other relatives and 2-19 friends; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-22 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-23 John S. Coleman, Jr.